Best state secondary schools in Hampshire and can we afford to live in catchment?

It's true that Winchester schools are good but... there are lots of buts about Winchester. It is developing quite a disjointed feel about it as prices are so high meaning people who grew up there can't afford to stay. Also parking can be an absolute nightmare in streets where houses don't have drives and it's a battle to park anywhere near your house.

Each to their own, but why would you buy a terrace in Winchester with difficult parking when you can get a detached house with a drive also with good schools and transport for the same money elsewhere in Hampshire

Nelly
Ofsted Outstanding means nothing unless the inspection was within the last two years
there are "outstanding" schools that have not been visited for over ten years during which all staff and pupils have changed
Hampshire schools are all comps
so the headline exam results are lower
but the County outcomes are above average

The North is not the same as the south
it just isn't
but I'll be honest
ACCESS to the south coast will be more relaxing financially and mentally than
LIVING at the South coast
look very closely at somewhere like Petersfield

• easy access to everywhere
• friendly
• not too expensive

Noadswood and Applemore have good reputations
R I G H T
and you'd get a lot for your money. However this area doesn't have a train line any more
although there's talk of its reopening
Not going to happen.

WAterside is off my list TBH

I also wouldn’t rule out houses with downstairs bedrooms if you’re thinking about having MIL to live with you. You might even be able to create a separate bedroom & sitting room if there is also a downstairs shower room.

I'm Fareham so not in Gosport or lee.

But son went to Crofton.

Beach is 10 minutes away.

But secondary schools aren't good. I'd avoid both academies like the plague.

Brookfield is fairly good near Park Gate/Salisbury green and beaches etc that way too.

[quote ListeningQuietly]Crofton Catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86340155.html

Crofton have the coolest Year 11 leavers "ceremony" there is
www.dailyecho.co.uk/photographs/news_galleries/2015_photos/may/crofton_egg_flour/[/quote]
My ds left there this year.
They didn't get to do this

Shame really as it's a fab school and a fab end of year event. We've been to watch previous years when other pupils we know have left!

Lovedean, Hampshire
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-93152903.html

I would really look at Christchurch, on the sea, lovely little town, excellent comp in Twynham, on the main rail line to Waterloo. And you get on before Southampton and Winchester when it gets busy 😂

I agree Elis I don't really feel that Winchester/Romsey are 'near the coast'. In theory we are only 30mins from Bournemouth but it is definitely a 'trip' to go to the coast, and actually we hardly ever go as we don't want to go when it will be busy/crowded to get there.

If we were in Totton it would feel much closer I think.

community - commute

I live near Winchester and I wouldn’t describe us as ‘by the sea’, the schools are great and the community into London is no problem, but you can’t pop down to the beach to walk the dogs. It’s at least half an hour away.

Alverstoke is lovely, the entirety of the rest of Gosport itself is... questionable. Lee/Stubbington and surroundings are fine. Bay House school is very good.

Petersfield is outstanding, I live 8 miles away and kids a couple of years up got in, but mine didn’t this year. We were gutted. Havant is cheaper for the train to London though. Have you looked at the surrounding villages between Petersfield and Havant? Westbourne, Emsworth, Rowland’s Castle etc. All lovely.

We love where we live.

Also maybe look at the Waterside/Hythe area (SO45), Noadswood and Applemore have good reputations and you'd get a lot for your money. However this area doesn't have a train line any more although there's talk of its reopening, and the A326 which is the only road in and out gets very congested.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70691136.html

And another. Even better location than the last one but terraced is the main compromise.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-94366217.html

Winchester. Walking distance for Kings and Westgate Secondary schools as well as Peter Symonds. Nice road/location. Open to offers.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-89662382.html

I think someone has mentioned Hounsdown School. My dc went there followed by Peter Symonds (easy by train) and did very well. We live just outside Totton. Mainline trains to London stop at Totton and Ashurst and it's also close to the M27. You'll get a fantastic house within your budget here.

Primary schools around here are all good too.

I would avoid Lyndhurst personally as although it's gorgeous, in the summer it's constant traffic jams.

OP, as you have seen we have quite a lot of good schools round here.
I suggest you visit a few areas, shortlist 2 or 3 you like for your other criteria, and then check the schools.

PS in case you are wondering
I travel all over Hampshire for work so know lots of the towns and areas
and have had reason to study the Ofsted tables for the county very thoroughly

Crofton Catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-86340155.html

Crofton have the coolest Year 11 leavers "ceremony" there is
www.dailyecho.co.uk/photographs/news_galleries/2015_photos/may/crofton_egg_flour/

I'd definitely include the Meon Valley (A32 corridor) in your search.

Priestlands Catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-85431347.html

Mountbatten Catchment with a ready made granny flat
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-94219376.html